A group of roughly 30 cadets of the Zephyrhills High School JROTC recently took part in a dignified ceremony to ‘retire’ worn American flags.
The event took part at Oakfield Cemetery in Zephyrhills.
Besides burning the flags, which is the appropriate way to dispose of them, members of the JROTC unit also scrubbed headstones of veterans buried in the cemetery.
Cadet Capt. James Laferriere, who spearheaded the ceremony, was the officer in charge.
Cadets Anesha Gonzalez and Madeline Starnes were among others taking part in the solemn occasion.
“The purpose of this event is to motivate cadets and raise their morale,” LaFerriere said. “Paying homage to veterans teaches the cadets citizenship, respect and professionalism, while helping to better the community.”
In addition to the cadets, some members of the public came to observe the ceremony.
Published February 24, 2021
